Wednesday 3 October 2012

Round the countryside


Sarah Humphreys was one of the first people to follow my blog. I discovered her little space and, in turn, realised I lived around the corner from a lovely singer-songwriter. But I had no idea just how lovely.

I've been meaning to see her play for a while, and when Sarah posted a link on her Facebook page to the video of her latest single Like a House Needs a Door, I booked tickets to one of her first album tour gigs on Sunday night.

I played the song over and over before the show. The boys were drawn to her voice and would sit on my lap. We watched the video together and tried to remember which came first out of the shore, the lion and the child.

Can you play that song again, Mummy was all I heard for a few days.

I couldn't tell Luca where I was going on Sunday evening because I knew he'd insist on coming. I pictured a smoky boozy music venue (I haven't been out in a while...), but instead it was like a private house party in somebody's oversized garage. Children ran around and people sipped chai.

I so wish he came with me.

As she sang and played her ukelele and her dulcet tones filled the room, I kicked myself for not buying tickets before. She was utterly amazing and her music is just beautiful. I'm not a music journalist so I don't have the right words to tell you what she sounds like. Watch the video.

I looked forward all night to her playing Like a House Needs a Door, but I fell in love with so many others that I bought her album. She signed it and wrote lovely words on the back, and I haven't stopped playing it since.

As the boys and I drove round the countryside yesterday, wind blowing through, to pick up our weekly box, she sang my favourite line take me round the countryside in a van, we'll make a life together holding hands.

Luca kept asking for more, Kian clapped at the end of each song and I'd turn it up a little more.

It was beautiful. I feel blessed to have discovered Sarah and her music and even more blessed that she lives and plays nearby.

I can't wait to take Luca to her next gig. We'll know all the words by then.

20 comments:

  1. I cried! You made me cry! What a beautiful thing to read. You're such a beautiful lady and please say hello to Luca and Kian for me! This must have been why i checked blogger today! Off to another show now in Newcastle, 'on a traaaiiiin' - doesn't work as well does it? 'In a vaaaan' on the way home :)

    x

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    1. I know, I did contemplate getting on a train myself to come and see you tonight! Do you know, as I'm typing, I've got the beat from I Don't Have To Try playing over and over in my head. That one's pretty catchy too!

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  2. oh, I have been playing Sarah's album to death! It is so beautiful, will have to get to a gig, but it's been such a long time for me too ;) I am still crying every time I listen to Why Don't We Just Stay Home...such a beautiful album. So glad you got to see the show. :)sarah

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    1. Gosh, that one gets me too. I seem to have a different favourite every hour and that one was this afternoon's favourite! Sarah's playing again on the Central Coast in November according to her website, so maybe see you there?

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    2. that would be ace! a night out...will have to check out the website and make it happen ;)

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    3. Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I checked back here to read all of these beautiful things. I hope you all realise how much they mean to me, your loving words. Why Don't We Just Stay Home was a magical experience to write, record and sing... I truly feel like it came from somewhere else. x

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  3. So, I pressed play and we played it a few times, Pearl staring at the screen with her little chin in her little hands, the other two dancing. Lola has gone to bed humming the song... Beautiful x

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  4. oh lovely.....it's always brilliant to make a brilliant discovery thank you!!

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    1. Oooh thank you, lovely to meet you through song! x

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  5. Hi Vanessa, What an amazing coincidence.... I watched a film last week here in the UK and in it there was a scene where a girl sang a song which was hauntingly beautiful.... was just checking out Sarah's website etc following your post and turns out the song in the film was Sarah's Lead Balloon! Film was Charlie and Boots.... xxxx

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    1. Wow isn't that amazing? I love that song, so lovely that it's grown wings and flown to other places. :) x

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  6. We love the album too. Milly laughs when I sing 'Like a House Needs a Door' - beautiful tunes. Lucky you getting to see Sarah live! x

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  7. What gorgeous music and I love her voice! Thanks for letting me discover her too!

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  8. I bought this album after reading this article and I cant stop listening to it!

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    1. Ah that's lovely. I know. Neither can I. I can't stop listening to Boy Ghost. Isn't this blogging world wonderful where you can share beautiful things with other people and they appreciate it. Thanks for your comment. x

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